SS United States, the fastest ocean liner in history, is set to leave Mobile, Alabama, on Monday for its final journey before being intentionally sunk off the Gulf Coast of Florida later this week.
This 990-foot ship will become the largest artificial reef in the world when it is sunk on Thursday, around 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, as stated by officials in Okaloosa County. The sinking operations are expected to start at 10 a.m. local time, depending on the weather.
The U.S. Coast Guard has set up a temporary 100-yard safety zone around the ship and its towing vessels as they make their way out of Mobile Bay. The tow is anticipated to reach the deployment area by Tuesday, just ahead of Thursday’s planned sinking.
This sinking will mark the end of an impressive journey for the ship, often called America’s Flagship. Built by Newport News Shipbuilding and delivered in 1952, the SS United States set a transatlantic speed record on its first voyage, crossing the Atlantic in just three days, 10 hours, and 40 minutes at an average speed of 35.59 knots. This record is still unbeaten.
The ship was retired in 1969 and spent nearly 30 years in Philadelphia before being towed out in February 2025.
Since its arrival in Mobile last March, the ship has undergone significant environmental cleanup in preparation for its new role as an artificial reef.
County officials have reported that all 128 fuel and lubricant tanks have been emptied and cleaned, all 12 decks have been remediated, and hundreds of historical artifacts have been removed for preservation. Key parts of the ship, like its iconic funnels and radar mast, have also been saved for a planned land-based museum.
The project recently faced a legal challenge from the SS United States Preservation Foundation, which raised concerns about possible environmental risks. A federal judge denied an emergency request to stop the sinking on Friday, but the group filed another request afterward. Okaloosa County confirmed that the project is still on track.
The county expects that the wreck will attract divers, recreational fishermen, and marine life, while also becoming a major new tourist attraction along Florida's Emerald Coast.
A public ceremony honoring the ship’s history is set for Wednesday at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center.
For Thursday's sinking, a live viewing party will kick off at 9 a.m. at AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar in Destin. The sinking will also be livestreamed, with a link to be provided on the official SS United States project website.
Officials are preparing for potentially hundreds of spectator vessels near the deployment site and are advising boaters to follow the safety personnel's instructions.
The artificial reef project has been funded through tourism revenue and contributions from partners involved in the project.
For the SS United States, this planned sinking will wrap up one chapter of American maritime history while starting a new one beneath the Gulf.